The violin

It leads the symphony orchestra, lifts folk bands, and carries intricate lead lines in jazz ensembles: the violin is the most renowned member of the string family and, for many, the “queen of musical instruments”. Nearly every major composer wrote sonatas and concertos for it, shaping classical music like no other instrument and giving today’s violinists access to a vast repertoire.

In classical music, virtuosi such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Hilary Hahn, and Itzhak Perlman continue to inspire. Artists like David Garrett and Lindsey Stirling showcase its versatility in pop and film music. You’ll also find the violin front and centre in folk and bluegrass. The legendary Stéphane Grappelli—often dubbed the “grandfather of jazz violinists”—cemented its status as a serious jazz instrument with his expressive style.

The history of the violin

Evolving from the medieval lute, the violin took its familiar four-string form in the 16th century thanks to Italian pioneer Andrea Amati. In Cremona he founded the most famous school of violin making, setting standards that remain unsurpassed.

His pupils established legendary luthier dynasties such as Guarneri, Ruggeri, and Bergonzi. Master maker Antonio Stradivari refined the instrument to new heights, making Cremona synonymous with world-class craftsmanship. The art spread beyond Italy—via Mathias Klotz and Jakob Stainer—to Tyrol, Mittenwald, and Mirecourt in France, where new centres of violin making emerged.

Today, Cremonese violins rank among the most valuable instruments in the world. In 2014, a Stradivari viola fetched an astonishing €32.6 million at auction—still the record price for a musical instrument.

FAQ – Violin essentials